Median Earnings (1yr)Reported
$96,837
95th percentile

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release).

Earnings Distribution

How Northwestern University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Northwestern University$96,837$104,862+8%
New York University$63,849$82,813+30%
Gonzaga University$58,879$81,537+38%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Communication, Journalism, masters's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Northwestern UniversityEvanston$65,997$96,837$104,862โ€”โ€”
New York UniversityNew York$60,438$63,849$82,813โ€”โ€”
Gonzaga UniversitySpokane$53,500$58,879$81,537โ€”โ€”
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown$9,648$53,070โ€”โ€”โ€”
Bowie State UniversityBowie$8,999$52,873โ€”โ€”โ€”
Fordham UniversityBronx$61,992$50,367โ€”โ€”โ€”
National Medianโ€”$55,974โ€”โ€”โ€”

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with communication, journalism, graduates

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northwestern University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.